FAMU's Simmons upbeat about workouts, schedule

Willie Simmons made his first appearance at the 220 Quarterback Club on Wednesday. FAMU's new head coach was presented with a FAMU jacket and an orange and green tie.(Photo: Vaughn Wilson/FAMU Athletics)

Florida A&M’s new football coach understands there are obstacles when taking over a program.

Is there a lack of effort from players?

Is there an attitude issue?

Is the team void of leadership?

Simmons wasn’t interested in forming opinions about his team based on last season.

He wanted to give the Rattlers a fresh opportunity to make a favorable impression on him and his assistant coaches.

What Simmons has discovered is a program that features talent but still must focus on team unity.

“It wasn’t about talent or semantics (last season),” Simmons said Wednesday during the 220 Quarterback Club’s weekly luncheon at New Times Country Buffet.

“I think at times you had guys who ventured off and did their own thing.”

Simmons’ message to the crowd was upbeat.

FAMU quarterback Ryan Stanley and the Rattlers close out their 2016 home schedule Saturday.(Photo: Phil Kelly /Special to the Democ, Phil Kelly/Special to the Democ)

He is pleased with his team’s progress and said “we compete for everything” – from starting positions to jersey numbers - when talking of the tone of workouts. He wants his team to bond as a family. He continues to stress accountability.

Simmons also addressed the team’s 2018 schedule, which features six home games - two more than 2017.

In fact, Simmons said he and FAMU Athletics Director Dr. John Eason are working on future schedules that features opponents within a four-hour drive of Tallahassee to make it easier for fans to travel and attend games.

Programs that fit that criteria, for instance, include Georgia State, Tuskegee University, South Florida and Central Florida.

FAMU ranked third nationally in FCS home attendance last season, averaging 19,048 fans per game (four home games).

Montana (23,535 per game/five home games) and James Madison (21,724/nine home games) ranked in front of FAMU.

The 220 Quarterback Club also presented Simmons a check for $4,250 - with another $1,000 guaranteed - to purchase Muscle Milk (protein shake) for players during the interim until Pepsi, the program's official vendor, begins distribution.

The Rattlers open spring practice Tuesday, March 20.

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The FAMU football team practices on the university's campus on Monday, July 31, 2017. (Photo: Joe Rondone/Democrat )